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My TBR List Book Review: Sloppy Firsts by Megan McCafferty

This post is so late because I’m just full of fail when it comes to blogging lately. But better late than never, right?

I came across this meme and thought it sounded like a lot of fun. I like the idea of YOU choosing a book for me! It’s hosted by Because Reading is better than real life and you can click on the button to get all the deets. This month you choose Sloppy Firsts by Megan McCafferty and to fulfil my end of the bargain, this is my review.

“My parents suck ass. Banning me from the phone and restricting my computer privileges are the most tyrannical parental gestures I can think of. Don’t they realize that Hope’s the only one who keeps me sane? . . . I don’t see how things could get any worse.”

When her best friend, Hope Weaver, moves away from Pineville, New Jersey, hyperobservant sixteen-year-old Jessica Darling is devastated. A fish out of water at school and a stranger at home, Jessica feels more lost than ever now that the only person with whom she could really communicate has gone. How is she supposed to deal with the boy- and shopping-crazy girls at school, her dad’s obsession with her track meets, her mother salivating over big sister Bethany’s lavish wedding, and her nonexistent love life?

A fresh, funny, utterly compelling fiction debut by first-time novelist Megan McCafferty, Sloppy Firsts is an insightful, true-to-life look at Jessica’s predicament as she embarks on another year of teenage torment--from the dark days of Hope’s departure through her months as a type-A personality turned insomniac to her completely mixed-up feelings about Marcus Flutie, the intelligent and mysterious “Dreg” who works his way into her heart.

Normally when my book ends unexpectedly at 93% on my kindle, I’m a bit dismayed. But not this time, I was happy enough to close the covers on this one and just count myself as the black sheep who failed to see the appeal of this much hyped series. And I think it’s safe to say I won’t be reading on any further in the series.

First Line of Sloppy Firsts by Megan McCafferty:

“Hope, I guess your move wasn’t a sign of the Y2K teen angst apocalypse after all.”

My thoughts on Sloppy Firsts by Megan McCafferty:

Let’s face it; basically I’m just too old for this book. It just is what it is. If I were 16 years old and reading this book then I think I would empathise a lot more with our extremely angst main character Jessica. But to be honest my days of intense navel gazing are long past and it made me a bit impatient with Jessica and her no-problem-is-too-small-to-agonise over frame of mind.

“It kinds of makes me wish that the worst thing that will ever happen to me will just hurry up and happen already. That way I could live the rest of my life in bliss, if only because I know how much worse things could be.”

But I’m not criticising a teen protagonist for being too angsty that’s like saying that boiling water is too hot; I’m just saying why it wasn’t an enjoyable read for me. I’m at the wrong stage of my life to get into that mournful, I hate everyone and no one understands me frame of mind.

I do however criticise Jessica for being a hypocrite and very judgemental. She is one of the worst name callers, labellers and slut shamers that I have come across. Just live your own life and stop condemning everyone else for the way they live theirs. Her bitchy inner dialogue as regards to this did rub me up the wrong way and is what really halted my enjoyment of the whole book. I feel like she loves labelling people and sticking them in a box and thinking that she knows everything about that person because of what she chooses to label them with.

However it wasn’t all bad. Jessica has a cynical attitude about life and some of her observations did make me laugh. The book was also more risqué that I was expecting which livened it up for me but definitely not one I’d recommend for younger teens. There are also lots of quirky touches in the book which I also loved liked emails, graphs that explain who hates who and why!

In addition, I did enjoy her chemistry with Marcus and I can see them going on to have smoochy, romantic (and no doubt angst full) times in future books but I know I don’t care enough to make that journey with them.

So there were things I did enjoy but there were far more things that I hated. It happens and Jessica would probably be morose at a book that let her down but thankfully I know worse things happen in life! Moving on!

Rating Report

Characters

Setting

Pace

Did I feel it?

Overall:

Who should read Sloppy Firsts by Megan McCafferty?

It’s hard for me to recommend this one as I didn’t personally enjoy it. However Goodreads is overflowing with glowing reviews so check those out instead. And I think the closer you are to your teen reads, the higher your enjoyment ratio will be.

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Sucks that you didn’t enjoy this one. I personally loved this series, and I do have to mention that Jessica grows up A LOT in these books. By the 3rd she’s in college, so all I’m saying is that there is still a small chance that you could like the other books.Jordin @ A Bottomless Book Bag recently posted…TTT (30): Top Ten Favorite Books (from the past 3 years)

I’ve kind of steered clear of YA books because I was afraid of the angst. That’s too bad it didn’t work for you and from the sounds of it I don’t think it would work for me either. I guess every book can’t be a winner!Katherine @ I Wish I Lived in a Library recently posted…Death in a Dacron Sail – Review

Sounds like something I’d have LOVED as a teen (the graphs and extras sound like a nice touch!) but I agree, I’m all for adults reading YA, but there are times a YA book feels distinctly just that – made for YA and not appealing to adults no matter how you want to approach it. I had to laugh at your review though, having recently turned 25, it was reading your review that made me realise just how much I’ve grown up over the last 3-5 years – I used to BE that angst-ridden annoying teen, and now with great pleasure, reading that part of your review made me realise I’m no longer that person! Yay! R xRachel recently posted…Review: The Fever

It really sucks when that happens. I’ve thought about reading this one but ultimately decided to skip it because it did read really young and angsty when I flipped through it.Michelle @ In Libris Veritas recently posted…Take Control of Your TBR 2015

Well bummer. I’ve also heard great things about this one, but now you definitely have me reconsidering. I think I’d have the same issues with you. I can’t do YA that is TOO YA, if that makes sense?Jessica@Lovin’ Los Libros recently posted…Review: Stealing Rose by Monica Murphy

Wait, was your copy complete? Or was there a bunch of other junk after 93%? I haven’t read this, but that quote caused a major eye roll from me. lol.Christy recently posted…A Curse Unbroken by Cecy Robson

Oh no, I’m sorry this one didn’t work out for you 🙁 I’ve been on the fence about it, as I’ve seen very mixed reviews. I have a feeling I’ll be in the ‘too old for this’ camp, so I’m going to avoid it. There’s plenty of other books out there instead 🙂

Aww that’s a shame this didn’t work for you since it seems to be a much loved book but reading your review it’s clear why. I don’t know if this would work for me either so I’ll let this drop down the Tbr!

I adored this series so I’m sorry to hear it wasn’t your cup of tea! Jessica has considerable character growth throughout the series but I have to admit that I too read this series a couple of years back so I’m not sure how I’d feel about it now. I finished an over the top angsty book a week back so I know how annoying i can be! 😛Nuzaifa @ Say It with Books recently posted…Currently: Chapter 2 of 12

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